By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Aromas are one of the most powerful connections people have with emotion and memory. From Grandma’s cookies to the first snow to gathering around a campfire, our greatest moments are often remembered by their scents.
In 2019, Rayelle Hansen had an epiphany that changed her and her daughter Nova’s lives. The young mom was spending long hours at Shore Medical Center as a patient administrator, missing her little girl and feeling ready for a change. She longed for a career that would allow her to spend more time with Nova.
To unwind, Hansen and a friend decided to make their own candles one Friday night. When they lit the wick, black smoke exploded out of the wax. “This can’t be healthy,” Hansen remembers thinking. “I spent hours and hours over the next few weeks researching candles and ingredients and potential dangers for our health. I experimented by making my own candles with locally-sourced and organic supplies.”
When her mom brought a handful of her daughter’s candles to a yoga class, Hansen’s crafting social media accounts went viral. In response, the young mom officially started her company Lil’ Lights Candle Co.
Today, Hansen spends every day with her three-year-old by her side, pouring wax, mixing oils and adding wicks. They pack online orders and restock at retail locations across South Jersey. Every couple of weeks, the mother-daughter duo takes a road trip four hours away to Pennsylvania for supplies.
“Nova loves working with me and having her little jobs,” said Hansen. “She packs styrofoam peanuts in the packages and smells every candle, sometimes even screwing on each jar lid,” said the proud mom. “I love teaching her about hard work and starting a business. I feel so connected to her.”
In addition to creating candles, Lil’ Lights Candle Co. co-hosts candle-making workshops at nearby community hubs. Over this past summer, Hansen taught teenage girls how to make candles alongside Island Therapy of Somers Point, and did a workshop at Jessie’s of Linwood (and plans to do another for the holiday season).
Much like her personality, Hansen’s products are simple, minimal and family-friendly. She uses cotton wicks, soy wax, and no additives such as paraffin in her candles. She is slowly releasing skincare and bath products in addition to new candle scents for the holiday season. Expect to browse Hansel & Gretel, Cinnamon Swirl, and Apple Maple Bourbon scents as the holidays draw closer.
Hansen also uses 100% recycled glass jars for her candles, and when a customer returns a jar, she offers to refill the jar with a new candle at a discounted rate. “Sustainability and local sourcing really matter to me,” she said.
When asked for her advice to small business owners (or those hoping to start one), Hansen advises to look to the community for support and to never be afraid to ask for help. “At the beginning, no matter how scared I was, I just kept saying yes to every opportunity,” said Hansen. “Always be authentic, because the real you is beautiful. Like a candle, you don’t want to burn out too quickly, so remember what matters to you.”
Lil’ Lights Candles are available at a variety of retail locations, including Zen Landing Yoga Studio in Mays Landing, At Anchor Day Spa in Northfield, Lillian James Salon in Turnersville, and Grasso Girls Farm Market in West Deptford. Check out Hansen’s company at: https://lillightscandleco.com/. Also, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook for an up-to-date list of workshops.
